DREAMLORD's "ARTIFICIAL IMPRISONMENT" ALBUM COVER STORY

Greek Thrash/Heavy metallers, Dreamlord - Official - recently released their new album "Artificial Imprisonment" which features a cover artwork designed by fellow countryman artist, Vaggelis Petikas of Revolver dart. He combined traditional drawing and digital illustration (including Procreate and Photoshop) to create this graphic.

"The cover portrays the birth of Artificial General Intelligence," reveals the band's vocalist/guitarist, Babis Papleogiorgos. "The figure inside the metallic womb represents the creation of a new kind of consciousness. The two faces opening up symbolize the human mind itself, showing that AGI is ultimately a product of our own imagination and creativity. But there’s also a warning there: what’s born from human brilliance can also turn against its creator if it’s misused. That’s why you see the skulls at the bottom, representing the possible downfall of humanity. The mother and child watching this moment stand for mankind witnessing the birth of its own creation — both in awe and in fear of what comes next."

The group's members had been "fans of Vagelis Petikas for years. His work has that balance of storytelling and intensity that fits perfectly with what Dreamlord stands for. When we started working on the album, we reached out to him with the concept and lyrics, and he immediately connected with the idea. From there it was a smooth collaboration—he took the theme and turned it into something powerful and unsettling, exactly what the record needed visually."

"Artificial Imprisonment" is available at
https://dreamlord.bandcamp.com/album/artificial-imprisonment

See more of Vagelis Petikas' work at https://www.behance.net/RevolverDart 

MY DOMINION's "EXTINCTION" ALBUM COVER STORY

German Death Metal band, My Dominion, recently released its new album, "Extinction." The cover artwork was digitally created by Dominik Plaßmann, a friend of the group's members that have collaborated with them in previous projects.

According to the artist and vocalist/guitarist, Martin Rätzke, this image with Lovecraftian overtones was "created through a close collaboration between the artist and the band. After several initial sketches and concept ideas, we collectively agreed on a core direction and then refined it through an iterative process until the final motif emerged. The main goal of the artwork was to visually support the atmosphere of the music and reflect its emotional themes. The album title 'Extinction' is represented symbolically: a vast sea of blood suggests annihilation and irreversible loss, while the central entity embodies a force capable of immense destruction."

The album is available at https://mydominionofficial.bandcamp.com/album/extinction

SPECIES' "CHANGELINGS" ALBUM COVER STORY

 

"Changelings" is the title of the second album from Polish Technical Thrash Metal trio, Species. The cover illustration was crafted by Aleksandra Pawłowska, a surrealist painter and tattoo artist based in Warsaw that had collaborated with the group in previous projects. 

"The cover art is simply Aleksandra Pawłowska’s abstract vision of our music." the band's members commented. "It depicts two mysterious extraterrestrial figures in an otherworldly scenery. Since 'Changelings' tells stories of eugenics, body horror and alien terror but with almost fairytale like atmosphere, we thought that perfectly fits the concept."

Pawłowska used acrylics on canvas to paint the original artwork. Later some digital color correction was applied. "We didn't have a particular concept in mind, our only suggestions were to use a different color palette and, unlike the cover of our debut record, to make the painting asymmetrical. Aleksandra came up with a sketch creating her own visions but also incorporating objects and beings described in the lyrics. We loved the idea and suggested only very minor changes."

"Changelings" is available at https://www.20buckspin.com/collections/species/

SHIVERED's "CHAINS" COVER ARTWOK STORY

Iranian Gothic/Doom project Shivered has released a new album titled "Chains." This concept record that explores themes like mass suicide, psychological collapse, the quiet end of civilization, grief, disillusionment and loss of self.

The sleeve artwork was designed with Photoshop and Blender by Shivered's mainman, Mohammad Maki. "I had this vision of an apocalyptic landscape, where humans hang from chains, a mass suicide marking the end of humanity," Maki says. "'Chains' became the embodiment of that vision: a collision of fiction and reality, where grief mutates into madness and ultimately leads to destruction."

"Chains" is available at https://shivered.bandcamp.com/album/chains

Watch the video from the album's single, "Ruins Of Memories" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_jPeqqcKk4

BLOODBOUND's "FIELD OF SWORDS" ALBUM COVER STORY

Swedish Power Metal band, Bloodbound, will release its new album, "Field Of Swords" next November 21, 2025 through Napalm Records. The cover artwork was designed by the group's frequent collaborator, Peter Sallai of Mortpaintgraphics.

"Bloodbound’s own mascot character, Nosferatu, is usually the main character on their album covers. This time, the band requested that they want a more militant, warlike scene," Sallai comments. "He has to wear knight’s armor and shall fight against orcs on a dark battlefield. I always go by the band’s request, which they came up with a specific idea."

The artwork was created digitally. "I usually work with Photoshop and a digital drawing tablet/screen," the Hungarian artist reveals. "My work has always been characterized by a kind of mixed media or digital painting and it is always important that hand painting shall dominate. This image also reflects my visions, more direct and it’s like a fantasy movie poster."

Order "Field Of Swords" at
https://bloodbound.bandcamp.com/album/field-of-swords

See more of Peter Sallai's work at
https://www.mortpaintgraphics.net 

1914's "VIRIBUS UNITIS" ALBUM COVER STORY

Ukrainian Blackened Death Metal act, 1914, just released their new album "Viribus Unitis" through Napalm Records. The cover artwork was crafted by Vladimir 'Smerdulak' Chebakov, who collaborated with the band in previous projects.

"We met about ten years ago, when I created an alternative version of the cover for their 2015 debut album 'Eschatology Of War,'" Chebakov says. "Later, 1914 signed with Napalm Records and invited me to continue our creative collaboration. This is the third album for the label on which we’ve joined forces."

According to the Czech artist, the cover concept was "inspired by the vast and inexhaustible theme of the Great War. And, of course, by the unstoppable enthusiasm of 1914’s frontman, Ditmar Kumamberg. Sometimes, I get the feeling he actually was there on those battlefields. This time, the album’s concept is based on the story of Ivan Pišta, a Ukrainian from Lviv who fought throughout the entire war as a soldier of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. So, we decided to build upon the painting 'Karpathenwacht' (Carpathian Watch, 1914–1915) by the Austrian artist Alois Hans Schram, which is still kept in Vienna today. The Carpathian Mountains, of course, also lie partly within modern-day Ukraine. In Schram’s original, the central figure is the Guardian Angel of the Carpathians, holding a flaming sword—a clear allusion to the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden. We decided to shift the focus slightly by adding the figure of Death—the silent presence behind every event, always coming to reap her harvest. And the years of war are always fruitful ones for her. The Angel and Death stand as allies, brothers-in-arms, perhaps even accomplices in the same crime."

The artwork was "created entirely on an iPad Pro using Procreate," Chebakov reveals. "Some elements, such as the logo, title, and tonal adjustments, were added in Photoshop—so it’s a fully digital piece. Tablet, stylus, electric charge and hands—that’s all it took.

"Viribus Unitis" is available at https://napalmrecords.us/collections/1914 and https://x1914x.bandcamp.com/album/viribus-unitis

See more of Vladimir Chebakov's work at https://www.instagram.com/vladimirchebakov

The painting 'Karpathenwacht' (Carpathian Watch) that inspired the cover of Viribus Unitis. It was created in 1914–1915) by Austrian artist Alois Hans Schram.

DEFIGUREMENT's "ENDBRYO" ALBUM COVER STORY

Avant Death/Grind collective, Defigurement, recently released their debut album, "Endbryo" through Nefarious Industries. The cover was designed by guitarist, Kevin Fetus. "I've been doing art in some form most of my life," he says. "I've been a Graphic Designer for the last 20 years or so, working for various labels and tons of underground bands. Our singer Matt saw some of my paintings and wanted to use this specific piece for the cover art."

According to Fetus, "the inspiration for the monsters was actually Eric Wood and his noise band Bastard Noise. I was trying to add a 'body' to his trademark skull...but I got lost in a haze of smoke and the image took on a life of its own. I kept adding layers and shapes started to form, so I went with it. During this time, I was also working on the guitar parts for the Defigurement songs. Once our vocalist caught wind of my paintings, he expressed interest in using this image as the cover art. Matt had requested some extra elements to be added to the final image, so I worked that out and in the end everyone was happy with this image being the cover art. We could have gone the digital art route, but Matt wanted an actual painting, the way album covers used to be done."

The guitarist used "oil-based mediums and a bit of Photoshop at the end to tighten up a few things I wasn't able to do with the paintbrush. My hand isn't that steady...too much coffee and anger coursing through my veins."

Order "Endbryo" through Nefarious Industries
at https://www.nefariousindustries.com/.../defigurement-endbryo

Stream the album at https://defigurement.bandcamp.com

BLACKWATER DROWNING's "OBSCURE SORROWS" ALBUM COVER STORY

American Death Metal act, Blackwater Drowning are releasing their new album "Obscure Sorrows" on February 27, 2026, through Bleeding Art Collective/Blood Blast Distribution. The cover illustration was crafted by Greek artist, Giannis Nakos of Remedy Art Design.

"This project felt like it needed something a lot more than a standard Extreme Metal theme depicted on its cover," Nakos says. "I was actually drawn by the band name but definitely wanted to avoid having water on it. So, I focused on having the meaning of 'drowning' somehow...hence the bird being unable to take flight, giving a suffocating vibe to the whole thing."

The artist reveals that "the use of bleak colors and the tears/fluid flowing coming from the skull's eyes are a direct hint to the title 'Οbscure Sorrows.' The shape of the tree and its surroundings, a combination of horns/branches/weird looking is an ode to the word 'obscure,' so I think the viewer gets an instant connection between the art and the title."

Vocalist, Morgan Riley, reveals that the band always "admired Giannis’s remarkable work on a number of acclaimed projects, so when his name surfaced during discussions with our manager, we were genuinely thrilled. After choosing to collaborate with him and gaining insight into his creative process—where we provide our music and a few guiding notes—it became clear that his approach really aligns with our own values as artists who deeply respect and embrace the creative flow."

Pre-order "Obscure Sorrows" at https://blackwaterdrowning.bfan.link/obscure-sorrows

See more of Giannis Nakos' work at https://www.instagram.com/remedyartdesign/

VERBA SERPENTIS' "OPHIDIC GNOSIS" COVER STORY

The cover artwork of "Ophidic Gnosis" (the debut EP of Atmospheric/Melodic Black Metal band, Verba Serpentis) was crafted by Indonesian artist, Ivan Adi “Serpentchron” Prayoga of SerpentsChron. "We came across him by chance on Instagram and immediately liked his work," comments the Austrian group's drummer, Tenebris. "He used hatching and cross-hatching with pen, blood and paper. The red color you see in the artwork is actually his own blood."

According to Tenebris, the cover concept was "based on the belief system of the Ophites, in which the serpent (or Satan) is regarded as the highest entity. It represents the ascension of the individual to higher realms of being through the practice of satanic rites and traditions."

Purchase/Stream "Ophidic Gnosis" at https://verbaserpentis.bandcamp.com/album/ophidic-gnosis

ROMINA's "THE SILVER SEA" ALBUM COVER STORY

"The Silver Sea" is the title of the upcoming new album by Atmospheric Gothic/Doom Metal act, REMINA. The cover artwork was designed by the band's singer, Heike Langhans. "She is a graphic artist and painter by trade," comments guitarist, Mike Lamb. "Being able to create all the art for Remina gives her great joy and creative satisfaction."

According to Lamb, the artwork was "digitally painted in Photoshop. It started as a simple sketch outline with painted layers added using digital 'pencil' type brushes. The cover is inspired by the overall theme of Remina: the human role in exploring the unknown vastness of space, alien structures, liquid metal oceans, immeasurable constructs and unquantifiable possibilities. This particular cover depicts a hooded figure stranded on the edge of a black monolith rising from a deep well constructed in a silver ocean. A crimson crystal shines at the center of the monolith against the dark starry backdrop and no one may ever know what power this site holds or how it even came to exist there."

"The Silver Sea" is available through Avantgarde Music at https://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-silver-sea

See more of Heike Langhans' work at https://www.instagram.com/solarsiren/